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name
DOHERTY, William Joseph "Bill" - Date of
birth
29 December 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts -
Hometown
West Sommerville, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-751280 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
383rd Fighter Squadron,
364th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 January 1945 - Place of
death
West of Vielsalm, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 8 | 50 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Robert J. Doherty (father)
Elizabeth M. Doherty (mother)
Robert Doherty (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-13283 -
Data
Type: P-51D
Nickname: Caroline Ann
Destination: Vielsalm, Belgium
Mission: Scouting
MACR: 11876
More information
William J. Doherty graduated from Medford High School in 1939. He was attending Northeastern University with the Class of 1945 when he volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Boston, Massachusetts.He first served a tour with the 324th Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group where, he flew as a co-pilot in James Tyron's crew, who flew in the bomber nicknamed “Sunkist Special.”
Statement of 1st Lt William E. Schofield, who flew in the same mission: ”I was leading the Weather Flight. Lt. Doherty was on my wing. When I reached the point to turn back, I decided to go down to about 10,000 feet. I told Lt. Doherty and we started down. At 18,000 feet in a dive, I did an aileron roll. I pulled out level at between 10,000–12,000 feet. I called Lt. Doherty, but he wasn't with me. I spent thirty minutes in the area west of Vielsalm looking in the air and on the ground for his plane. I didn't see Lt. Doherty again.”
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.91stbombgroup.com, 1930 United States Federal Census, Northeastern University WWII Memorial
Photo source: John Howland, www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, www.ancestry.com - Medford High School, 1939